Paul_Stewart
Tour Rookie
NEW ZEALAND GOLF CLUB
West Byfleet, Surrey
Located close to West Byfleet GC, New Zealand is legendary for its old-fashioned beliefs in membership. It is like stepping back 70 years in time when you drive though the modern electronic gates to a course and clubhouse that remains firmly entrenched in its historic past.
The course is a traditional Surrey layout, tree-lined with subtle rather than sloping greens and enough heather to keep Paul McCartney away from playing. Most holes are straightaway with only the last two having any kind of significant dog-leg.
The length is 6.028 yards and a par of 68. But you have to put that yardage into context. That would translate to a 6,700 yard par 72 which would put it way past the likes of West Hill, Woking, Worplesdon and West Byfleet in terms of similar layouts.
The first five holes are a loop that brings you back to the clubhouse. Three 400-yard+ par 4's and a pair of medium par 3's form the quintet with the opening duo both exceeding 430 yards and requiring long and straight hitting from the outset.
From there, the course takes you away towards Woking with three holes located on the far side of a road. A couple of short par 4's break up the long-hitting requirement and one of my pet loves on a course, a short 120-yard par 3 starts the back nine.
There are no massive elevation changes on the course and everything is there in front of you. Lots of deep bunkers, heather bordering each fairway and enough trees either side to make a wild shot a probable lost one.
Two of the par 3s on the course exceed 200 yards and the par 68 is reached with only one par 5 on the course, albeit a definite birdie chance in the middle of the back nine.
Getting to play New Zealand is not easy and after 25 years of driving past the entrance, the chance to finally enter its hallowed grounds was one long awaited. And the course did not disappoint in any shape or form. It's a tough test of golf and you will get found out if any part of your game is not on its top form which is golf should be.
But with all the new venues that have appeared in the past 20 years, with all the technological developments in the game, this is a refreshing return to how golf used to be and long may it continue.
West Byfleet, Surrey
Located close to West Byfleet GC, New Zealand is legendary for its old-fashioned beliefs in membership. It is like stepping back 70 years in time when you drive though the modern electronic gates to a course and clubhouse that remains firmly entrenched in its historic past.
The course is a traditional Surrey layout, tree-lined with subtle rather than sloping greens and enough heather to keep Paul McCartney away from playing. Most holes are straightaway with only the last two having any kind of significant dog-leg.
The length is 6.028 yards and a par of 68. But you have to put that yardage into context. That would translate to a 6,700 yard par 72 which would put it way past the likes of West Hill, Woking, Worplesdon and West Byfleet in terms of similar layouts.
The first five holes are a loop that brings you back to the clubhouse. Three 400-yard+ par 4's and a pair of medium par 3's form the quintet with the opening duo both exceeding 430 yards and requiring long and straight hitting from the outset.
From there, the course takes you away towards Woking with three holes located on the far side of a road. A couple of short par 4's break up the long-hitting requirement and one of my pet loves on a course, a short 120-yard par 3 starts the back nine.
There are no massive elevation changes on the course and everything is there in front of you. Lots of deep bunkers, heather bordering each fairway and enough trees either side to make a wild shot a probable lost one.
Two of the par 3s on the course exceed 200 yards and the par 68 is reached with only one par 5 on the course, albeit a definite birdie chance in the middle of the back nine.
Getting to play New Zealand is not easy and after 25 years of driving past the entrance, the chance to finally enter its hallowed grounds was one long awaited. And the course did not disappoint in any shape or form. It's a tough test of golf and you will get found out if any part of your game is not on its top form which is golf should be.
But with all the new venues that have appeared in the past 20 years, with all the technological developments in the game, this is a refreshing return to how golf used to be and long may it continue.
Glad you enjoyed your round.
